The Incredible Charlotte Sycamore and the Secret Traps

“High action, tangled romance, and a spirited heroine. My perfect recipe for a great read.”
- Kelley Armstrong, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“This steampunk novel has it all: deceptions, a brainy and courageous girl, violence, inventions and mystery set in Victorian England. Charlotte’s tale is indeed incredible – in a good way.”
- Kirkus Reviews

“...Charlotte’s steampunk London is a wonderfully vivid place, and her adventures there make riveting reading.”
- Booklist

“...you won’t want to put this one down.”
- RT Book Reviews magazine


Sixteen-year-old Charlotte Sycamore lives in Buckingham Palace and is hiding her secret identity. Surrounded by scientific inventions and mechanical creatures of Victorian London, Charlotte trusts only her closest friends with the truth. Should her mysterious identity be revealed to the world, she would be executed by the Queen's court.

Charlotte's father, private physician to Queen Victoria, is unaware that his seemingly timid daughter is the treasonous thief that he and Scotland Yard seek to capture. They believe they are looking for a "man" who is stealing medical supplies from Her Majesty to treat the poor of London. It's the same thief they accuse when two of the Queen's most valuable horses are stolen. A reward is placed on Charlotte's head.

Torn between her dutiful love for her father and the blossoming, confusing feelings she has for her daring ally, Peter, Charlotte sneaks out of Buckingham Palace with the help of her trusted friends. She struggles with the dangers of first love and how she fits into this complicated world. It’s up to Charlotte, Peter, Benjamin, Adam, Polly, and Jillian to sword fight through the gaslit streets of London and travel halfway around the world in an experimental device to locate the horses, bring the true criminal to justice, and to never reveal Charlotte's true identity.

About the Author:

Kate Maddison is the award-winning and USA TODAY bestselling author of the Charlotte Sycamore series. Her research for the books included a trip to London for an exciting, behind-the-scenes tour of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. In addition to writing YA novels, Kate has written over twenty historical romance novels as Kate Bridges. When her computer is turned off, you might find Kate with her family, hiking the escarpment by their home near Toronto, Canada, or taking photos of the sunrise.